Who is West Brom transfer target Prejuce Nakoulma?

Burkina Faso’s Prejuce Nakoulma could be set to join West Brom (Picture: Reuters)

West Brom are reportedly in talks with Polish based winger and strike, Prejuce Nakoulma.

The 27-year old has just become a free agent after leaving cash-strapped Ekstraklasa side Górnik Zabrze. It is possible he may be at Albion for talks this weekend, with talk of a medical and a deal at some point early next week.

Although Nakoulma is well known in Poland, he is largely unknown in England, and news that Albion are linked with yet another free transfer, who is largely unproven at the highest level has been met with a degree of hostility by some Albion fans.

However, Polish football journalist Ryan Hubbard believes Albion fans can be quietly optimistic about the arrival of the Burkina Faso international.

‘Nakoulma is a quick, big and strong attacking midfielder,’ said Hubbard. ‘He’s not afraid to take on players heading towards goal. He can occasionally try to do a little too much, but when he does hit top form he can be a nightmare for defenders.

‘For the last few seasons, Nakoulma has been regarded as one of the top players in the Polish Ekstraklasa; however, like the rest of the financially-troubled Górnik team, inconsistency has been a problem.

The Burkina Faso international is certainly no strange to foreign interest in his obvious talent, having been scouting by a host of teams and even offered a chance to play with some of Eastern Europe’s elite clubs.

‘During his spell at Górnik, there were constant media reports of a host of European top-flight clubs coming to watch Nakoulma play. The only concrete offers seemed to come from the East – notably from Terek Grozny and Besiktas. The player turned down offers from both clubs, hoping to try his luck elsewhere.’

The most obvious pitfall to this deal is that Nakoulma has no experience playing at a level anywhere near that of Premier League standard. One need only look at the likes of Alexandr Tonev (the last player to move from Poland to the Premier League) to see how some can’t make the jump. However, Ryan seems to think that if anyone can deal with the gulf in the competition, Nakoulma can.

‘The step up from the Ekstraklasa to the Premier League is undoubtedly a big one; but Nakoulma’s build and physique is undoubtedly suited to the English style-of-play, and without any off-the-field distractions he could prove a bargain.’

Indeed, it is a low risk deal. Nakoulma will not demand large wages, and on a free transfer I think he is a gamble worth taking.

Should we sign Prejuce Nakoulma, I for one will be more than prepared to give me a fair crack of the whip, and shall be intrigued to see how one of Poland’s top players deals with the step from Ekstraklasa to Premier League competition.